Takayama Ai

"Team A's Captain, I am Takahashi Minami the 7th, also known as Takamina."

- Minami's Stage Introduction Catchphrase

Ai Takayama is the Captain of Team A. She is currently a successor, having received the name Takahashi Minami the 7th (７ みなみ). She does also have a soloist career.

Currently, the nickname she is most commonly associated with is Takamina (「たかみな」), however, prior to succession, she was also referred to as TakAi (「TakAi」) or Aicchi (「」).

Appearance
Minami has a rather pale skintone, especially considering she’s from Atamistar. She is also rather short. She has round, green eyes. Her hair is straight and, when down, reaches a little lower than her shoulderblades and is a pale blue colour. Her hair is straight. Much like all 00 members, she has heart lining in her eyes and hair. For an unknown reason, there are three extra lines in her eyes that connect in a point. She commonly wears her hair in a ponytail.

Before she succeeded, she had shoulder length hair that she wore let down. She also had two longer strands of hair that hung down in front of her shoulders, that were the same length her entire hair now is.

Minami, on the contrary to the original member bearing her name, has an acceptable fashion sense. She commonly wears modest, modern clothes. She normally sticks to two to three colours in her casual clothes, one of which is usually pastel. She is almost never seen without a matching ribbon in her hair.

Personality
Minami wouldn’t count herself as anything special; she doesn’t view herself to be over everyone else. However, despite this, she isn't insecure, and knows that if she really wants something, and if she's willing to work hard enough for it, then she know that she can achieve it. She is determined.

While she isn’t as frequent with it as some other members, Minami does always - when not in uniform - keep her phone and headphones with her for the sake of being able to practise choreography or lyrics at any avalible time, in order to cut down on the time she needs on lessons to learn a routine to be as effective with the time she has with the dance instructor, Hashimoto Ayumi as possible.

Although she doesn't always say it, she has strong beliefs regarding morale, and does not back down whenever those beliefs are questioned, showing a bit of her stubborn side.

As Team A's Captain, Minami has gotten quite a bit of practice in leadership, something she was lacking a bit beforehand. She has grown accustomed to taking charge of a situation as a result of this too. She is also known to help people out in secret, sometimes lending a discreet hand to WMiya's victims to help them. She tends to observe her fellow members from a distance, and only approach to help if they need it in order to not be overbearing. She has learned to keep an eye out for hints at negative emotions.

Skills
Having been an idol for a long while, Minami has gotten quite good at memorizing choreography and lyrics effectively. She is good at organizing her time, and does seldom have a moment where she has nothing to do. She strives to be as effective with her time as she can, and she's gotten quite good at this.

She has gotten skilled in talking to people, and has learned how to handle a crowd. She has also become a skilled leader, ever since she was chosen as Team A's Captain.

While able with LAS, Minami's forte in combat is micsabers. Initially, she had some troubles with it, but got the hang of it quickly after getting the basics. She is now at a point where she can dualwield with ease - both offensively and defensively. Due to safety reasons, 00 has forbidden users to wield more than one micsaber at a time unless their swordsmanship has developed far enough to be able to use both hands independently. Minami has passed the test for this. She knows enough hand to hand combat to be able to defend herself, should the need arise, but she is easily outmatched by several of the other members.

Minami is an exceptional swimmer. She has stated that she can swim as far as 10 km straight if she is careful with her strenght, but she can also swim shorter distances at higher speeds. She keeps up with swimming as much as she can, and the swimming pool is normally the place she can be found outside of work related times most often. She has no problems feeling comfortable in any body of water, and has grown capable of reading underwater currents in order to be able to make sure to not get caught in one. She can also hold her breath for a long while, as well as tow someone back to shore. All of this, is due to growing up near the ocean at Atamistar, where knowing how to swim is a neccessity.

Minami is a horrible cook, to the point where several members have claimed that she's got it down to an art form. This has been used in AKBing00! before, and will likely be again. Although the reason she believes she is decent at cooking may be because of her rather odd tastebuds; She can happily eat some things that others would never put anywhere near their mouth.

She is an amateur piano player, merely doing it as a hobby, but it is the reason she got to play a Keytar on Orchestra. She has been playing the piano since she was 6.

History
Minami has lived with her parents and 6 year old younger sister on Atamistar for her entire life up until the point when she moved to Akibastar as a member of AKB0048. She constantly played dressup with her sister, Ameko, when babysitting her, pretending to be idols, however, seeing as it was more to entertain Ameko than herself, the thought of actually becoming an idol never really occured to her.

Being born on Atamistar, the beach will always be special to Minami, it being where she can be the most at ease. She also got to meet several of AKB0048's members before she herself became a member, due to the gravure shots being held at Atamistar from time to time. However, despite this, she didn’t feel like joining AKB0048 for the largest part of her child hood. Minami has known about AKB0048 all her life, but for the majority of it, she was content with merely being a fan to support the group. This, however, changed at the age of 12 years, when she saw her first ever concert live. When she spoke with her family about it, they were very supportive and encouraged her to try to join, even if they were also a little bit concerned, seeing how the idol group hadn’t been very successful for the past couple years. She used the remaining time until the auditions opened to practise her singing and dancing, and although she wasn’t perfect by any means, she was accepted into the group, and honestly hasn't looked back since.

Succession
Minami, much like every successor prior to succession, got the fever of succession a few days before her actual succession concert, it wasn't anything major; she mainly felt a bit sluggish and had a slight fever. She was still able to partake in her normal activities.

She was one of the members whose succession was the most wanted by some members, there even being a campaign,  “ #AiForTakamina ” (which  Sasshi  even added onto the large screen on the succession concert itself),  created by some of them. Fans caught onto this as well, and many decided to join the campaign. Her succession concert was named “Ai wo Shinjiteru” as a nod to her own name, her part in Sore wa Yorokobi Desu, as well as the pun in general.

Team History
150th Generation → Team 00 & 150th Generation → Team A & 150th Generation → Team A
 * Joined the 150th Generation of Trainees (SC0122.11.18)
 * Promoted to Team 00  (Formation) (SC0123.06.17)
 * Transferred to Team A   (Formation) (SC0123.10.31)
 * Succeeded and subsequently left the 150th Generation of Kenkyuusei (SC0124.02.03)

Etymology
Takayama is written in Kanji. ('Taka') translates to “High” and ('Yama') translates to “Mountain”.

Ai is written in Kanji.

('Ai') translates to “Love”.

Her name could be translated as "Alpine Love".

During her time as an idol, Minami has recieved several nicknames, with the most promintent ones from her understudy time being TakAi (TakAi) or Aicchi, TakAi being a combination of "Takayama" and "Ai" and Aicchi being a variation on her name. Honoka called her Airicchi, a variation on her other nickname.

Upon succession, she inherited the nickname Takamina (たかみな) along with her new name. At times, some members refer to her as Captain, a nickname she can't fault them for, but isn't entirely comfortable with.

Quotes
Hint: Hover over the quotes.
 * "Team A’s Captain, I am Takahashi Minami the 7th, also known as Takamina." - Minami's onstage catchphrase
 * "Doing my best even if I fail, I will always look towards the future with a smile, I'm Takayama Ai, understudy of AKB0048's 150th generation!" - Ai's former onstage catchphrase
 * "I'm no witch, if that's what you're implying." - Minami, as Ai, replying to a comment Miyagi made.

Screenshots
For other pictures, please see Minami's Category

Achievements
Senbatsu Sousenkyo SC0123
 * -|Senbatsu Sousenkyo=

Early Result: 2nd (791'748 votes)

Placement: 2nd (Senbatsu) (1'200'849 votes)

Senbatsu Sousenkyo SC0124

Early Result: 1st (1'173'412 votes)

Placement: 2nd (Senbatsu) (2'095'875 votes)

Senbatsu Sousenkyo SC0125

Early Result: 5th (1'049'992 votes)

Placement: 1st (Center) (8'442'411 votes) Janken Taikai SC0123
 * -|Jyanken Taikai=

Placement - 1st (Center)

Janken Taikai SC0125

Placement - 10th - Lost to Asami Mirai (Senbatsu)


 * -|Lucky Ranking=
 * SC0125 - #43

Career

 * -|Acting=
 * Majisuka Gakuen 00 - Love
 * Protocol Magi :ORIGIN - Nakajima Shiori / Aubade

Songs
{{#tag:tabber| AKB0048 Singles= {| {{!}}-{{!}} AKB0048 Albums= {{!}}-{{!}} Solo Singles= {{!}}-{{!}} Stages= 001 (Eien ni Umarekawaru)
 * -|A-Sides=
 * -|B-Sides=
 * valign="top" |
 * To Say (Kono atarashii hi ni) (Echo)
 * Sakura no Hanabiratachi (Kono atarashii hi ni) (Center)
 * Ai-sen (Bonfire Love Story) (Duet)
 * Pioneer (Bonfire Love Story) (WCenter)
 * Naze? (Kibou no Chronicle)
 * Manatsu no Sounds Good! (Kibou no Chronicle) (Center)
 * Anata no Sakuhin (Kibou no Chronicle) (Center)
 * Datenshi (Kibou no Chronicle) (WCenter)
 * Shiritai (Kibou no Chronicle) (WCenter)
 * Musou-ka (Kibou no Chronicle)
 * Ikiru Chance (KISEKI)
 * Ame ga Shuryo (KISEKI)
 * TBA (KISEKI)
 * Fresh Fruit Basket (KISEKI)
 * Tameiki (Kyuuseishu) (WCenter)
 * Flare (Kyuuseishu)
 * Lyrical Namida (Kyuuseishu)
 * Kashou hyouka (Kyuuseishu)
 * Yuuhi wo miteiru ka? (Kyuuseishu) (WCenter)
 * Close your eyes (Himitsu no Challenge) (Center)
 * Roze (Himitsu no Challenge) (WCenter)
 * Crush (Himitsu no Challenge) (Center)
 * valign=”top” |
 * Heart Revolution (Reality)
 * Romance, Irane (Reality)
 * Kiite Imasen (Reality) (TriCenter)
 * Kashita (Reality)
 * Ocean Song (Infinity no Moyou)
 * Spoiler (Infinity no Moyou) (WCenter)
 * Silence (Infinity no Moyou)
 * Bracelet (Infinity no Moyou)
 * Mainichi no Koto (Infinity no Moyou)
 * Ghost house (Infinity no Moyou)
 * Tsugi no Crown (Infinity no Moyou)
 * Seimei no Konseki (Castle of Glass)
 * Ikiru Mono no Ishi (Castle of Glass)
 * Mokugekisha (Castle of Glass) (WCenter)
 * Mirai ga Me ni Shimiru (Castle of Glass)
 * Requiem (Castle of Glass)
 * Kimi ga Aishiteru nara... (Castle of Glass)
 * Mangekyou no Unmei no Sanjuunichi (Castle of Glass)
 * Ashita he no Hansou (Rose no Hibi)
 * Au Revoir (Rose no Hibi)
 * Ashita he no Hansou (Rose no Hibi)
 * Seishun no Kaze (Rose no Hibi)
 * Yume no Ressha (Rose no Hibi)
 * Orchestra (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Cinderella wa doko ni itta? (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Nichiyobi no Cooking Show (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru) (Center)
 * Siren (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * fashion police (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Hitori Omou (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Sora wa kasute aokatta (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * In Rain (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Love You! 0 (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * Yume no Sketchbook (Setsuzoku no Chain wa sudeni Koko ni Aru)
 * -|A-sides=
 * Yanagi no Negai
 * -|B-sides=
 * Ashita e no Akogare (Yanagi no Negai)
 * Ame no Emoji (Yanagi no Negai)
 * Kirakira BLACKOUT (Yanagi no Negai)
 * Nusuma reta no Hokori (Yanagi no Negai)
 * Monohoshisouna Guuzen (Yanagi no Negai)

Nichiyobi no Cooking Show (Center)

A1 (Eien ni Umarekawaru)

Nichiyobi no Cooking Show (Center) {{!}}-{{!}} Other Songs= }}
 * SUB ZERO (Kono atarashii hi ni) (Character Song)
 * Ji to Sora no aida (Futari no Ashiato)

Trivia

 * Favourite New Era Song: Roze
 * Audition Song: Yuuhi wo miteiru ka?
 * Favourite Colour: Royal Purple
 * Penlight Colour: White
 * Hobbies: Playing the piano, collecting swimwear, swimming, listening to music
 * Favourite Food: Generally anything her mother makes, Apples, Mochi Ice Cream
 * Favourite Animal: Owls
 * Charm Point: Eyes
 * Blood Type: A
 * Her Kirara is a blue sphere with detached wings and purple eyes.
 * Her piano skill is nowhere near Ikuta Erika the 11th's level, as playing the piano has never been more than a hobby to Minami.
 * Her sense of taste, according to Masuda Akari, is too screwed up to be natural.
 * Despite being from Atamistar, she is rather pale.
 * She has a rather abundant closet of bikinis, enjoying collecting them.
 * She is closely associated with the phrase "Ai wo Shinjiteru" as a pun to her own name and status as a Captain, so much so that her succession concert was named after it.
 * She is one of two Team A members to appear in Running Blind's MV.
 * In the Running Blind PV, her character's name is "AiWoShinjinai", as a reference to  "Ai wo Shinjiteru".
 * In the Majisuka Gakuen 00 adaption, Minami plays the character "Love", whose name is a pun to her own
 * Minami shares her original given name with the fake AKB member Kimura Ai.
 * For the release of Kibou no Chronicle, she got hair extentions.
 * Coincidentally, she had her hair in a ponytail, a hairstyle that came to be her usual one after succession.
 * Minami has stated that she does not have a favourite member in 00, as she doesn't feel like she, as captain for  a team should be favorising.
 * It is unknown if she in fact does have a favourite member and is simply keeping it a secret, or if she actually doesn't have a favourite.
 * She is a bit upset that the rest of the 150th generation doesn't get more recognition, something she believes they deserve.